Hollywood has lost another legend, as acting icon Michael Madsen passed away at the age of 67. The actor mostly made a name for himself starring in some of Quentin Tarantino’s most iconic films. Still, even outside of that, it was hard not to recognize Madsen, as the level of depth and complexity he brought to even the smallest of roles would demand your attention.
His relaxed physical demeanor, gravelly voice, and magnetic screen presence made him instantly recognizable, regardless of the role he played. In honor of the late actor’s life, we at MovieWeb have compiled a list of five Michael Madsen movies that are currently available to stream.
‘Reservoir Dogs’
Streaming on Paramount+
Reservoir Dogs is Quentin Tarantino’s first feature film, and was also the first of many movies that the actor and director would work on together. The film is an ensemble crime movie about the aftermath of a heist gone violently wrong, with the surviving gang members left to pick up the pieces in the warehouse where they meet up afterward. Essentially a single-location film, Madsen plays the magnetic Mr. Blonde, an effortlessly suave criminal with psychopathic tendencies. In a movie filled to the brim with overpowering performances from the likes of Steve Buscemi and Harvey Keitel, Madsen plays Blonde in a deceivingly cool way, rarely raising his voice.
Only Madsen could get audiences to adore a character as twisted as Mr. Blonde. His standout scene, torturing a police officer to Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle With You,” remains one of the most iconic moments in both Reservoir Dogs and Tarantino’s entire filmography. Stream Reservoir Dogs on Paramount+.
‘Thelma & Louise’
Streaming on Tubi
Thelma & Louise is one of Ridley Scott’s certified classics, and seeing him use Madsen’s talents in such an unexpected way is part of what makes this one of the actor’s most memorable roles. In a role that is seemingly the complete opposite of his work as Mr. Blonde (or many other characters in Tarantino’s filmography that he played), Madsen plays Jimmy Lennox, an easy-going musician, and the love interest of Louise Sawyer (Susan Sarandon).
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Madsen delivers a heartfelt performance in the movie, especially as his character fights a losing battle to stay with her. The actor employs a timid physicality and performance that he arguably hasn’t used again, making this a movie worth checking out to see Madsen’s impressive range as an actor. Thelma & Louise is available to stream for free on Tubi.
- Release Date
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May 24, 1991
- Runtime
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130 Minutes
- Writers
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Callie Khouri
- Producers
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Mimi Polk Gitlin
‘Kill Bill Vol. 2’
Streaming on AMC+
Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill Vol. 1 did an excellent job of establishing the various characters the Bride (Uma Thurman) seeks to kill in revenge for what was done to her. One of those characters was Madsen’s cowboy character, Budd, who is also the younger brother of Bill (David Carradine). The character would have a much more prominent role in Kill Bill Vol. 2, and, of all the targets of the Bride’s wrath, Madsen once again plays one of the most subdued in the entire film.
At this point, the actor has made a career with his remarkable level of restraint, which makes his violent actions in movies hit that much harder. Ironically, he is the one who gets the closest to killing the Bride, despite also being the one who feels the most guilt for his actions in the past. Madsen’s somber demeanor and melancholy attitude make this performance one of his most nuanced. Kill Bill Vol. 2 is streaming on AMC+.
‘Donnie Brasco’
Available To Buy or Rent on VOD
The story of undercover FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone (Johnny Depp), who pretends to be jewel thief Donnie Brasco to manipulate Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino) and gather incriminating evidence against a crime family, is already a tense and engaging premise on its own. Aside from the powerhouse performances of Depp and Pacino, there is also Madsen, ever faithful to his supporting character roles, as Sonny Black, a character who is promoted to a position of power within the crew.
Donnie Brasco features one of Madsen’s most intense performances as a gangster willing to do anything to remain the leader of the crew. Whenever Madsen is on-screen, it’s hard not to feel a sense of unease and danger, a testament to the actor’s impressive screen presence. Donnie Brasco is available for purchase on VOD.
- Release Date
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February 28, 1997
- Runtime
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127 minutes
- Writers
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Joseph D. Pistone, Richard Woodley, Paul Attanasio
‘The Hateful Eight’
Streaming on Netflix
The Hateful Eight is one of Quentin Tarantino’s most visceral films, and Madsen’s inclusion in it as a mysterious Cowboy writing his autobiography feels like the perfect fit for the film. Another single-location story, Madsen manages to blend in with the set design at times and mind his own business, only to suddenly become the center of attention and match wits with other powerhouses, such as Samuel L. Jackson and Kurt Russell.
When everyone’s true intentions are finally revealed, the only one who remains unchanged is Madsen as Joe Gage. He arguably causes the most damage in the movie, proving once again that Madsen’s unassuming demeanor often makes him the deadliest character in a Tarantino film. The Hateful Eight is streaming on Netflix.
